AU2007237300A1 - Lapping plank - Google Patents

Description

P/00/009 Regulation 3.10 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: LAPPING BOARD The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Reft 072045 - 2 LAPPING BOARD The present invention relates to scaffolding for the erection of buildings and other structures and, more particularly, to a component for use with scaffolding. BACKGROUND Scaffolding systems typically comprise an assembly of structural elements and planking to provide a series of platforms for use in the erection of buildings and other 10 structures. The structural elements most frequently include lengths of tubular steel or aluminium, assembled into prefabricated vertical supports, cross members and bracing, fastened together by wedge locks and clamping elements. Verticals and cross members are arranged to form bays 15 with platforms formed of boards spanning the cross members at consecutive bays. These are gaps between consecutive bays or side bays, which may be due to reasons of design or the perimeter shape of a building. To span the gaps thus left, planking commonly known as lapping boards is laid 20 across the gap, resting on the outer ends of the boards of each of the adjacent bays. Typically lapping boards are made of laminated timber; laminated to provide the strength needed to carry the live load of, for example, personnel and the passive load of, 25 for example, equipment. They are therefore often so thick that the step up required to negotiate them can take a - 3 person by surprise, causing a misstep or tripping which can lead to a serious accident . Being thick also makes these lapping boards heavy and unwieldy when manipulating them within the confines of a scaffolding structure and bringing 5 them into position across a gap. A further disadvantage of timber is an environmental one through its impost on timber resources. Another disadvantage of laminated timber lapping boards is that they are subject to deterioration from 10 weather and from spillages of various liquids such as frequently used in construction situations. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lapping board, or at least provide a useful alternative. 15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a lapping board for use with 20 scaffolding; said lapboard comprising an elongate metal element; said element including at least one upper surface suitable for pedestrian use; said element further including side portions formed so as to provide rigidity to said upper surface.

- 4 Preferably, said side portions each include at least a first fold, a second fold and a third fold. Preferably, said elongate metal element is of length between 1.2 meters and 4 meters. 5 Preferably, each of said side portions includes a first strip of metal folded substantially downwardly at said first fold from respective outer long edges of said upper surface. Preferably, each of said side portions further includes a 10 second strip of metal folded substantially horizontally inwards at said second fold from respective lower edges of said first strip of metal. Preferably, each said side portions further includes a third strip of metal folded substantially upwardly at 15 said third fold from respective inner edges of said second strip of metal. Preferably, said elongate metal element is roll-formed from sheet metal said first strip, said second strip and said first strip are integral with said upper surface. 20 Preferably, said elongate metal element is folded from sheet metal. Preferably, said upper surface of said elongate element is shaped in section so as to have two depressed fluted - 5 areas; said depressed fluted areas extending substantially said length of said elongate element. Preferably, each said first strip of metal is shaped in section with an indented central area; said indented 5 central area extending substantially said length of said first strip of metal. Preferably, said upper surface is provided with a plurality of stamped holes; each said stamped hole bounded by a raised perimeter; said raised perimeter 10 adapted to provide grip to footwear of persons traversing said upper surface. Preferably, outer ends of said elongate metal member are shaped so as to deform a portion of said upper surface to provide a downwardly sloping portion; said downwardly 15 sloping portion extending from a level of said upper surface to proximate a level defined by said second strips of metal. Preferably, outer ends of said elongate metal element are provided with friction interface elements; said friction 20 interface elements attaching to undersides of said second strips of metal; said interface elements extending from a said second strip of metal at a first side of said elongate metal element to said second strip of metal at an opposite side of said elongate metal element.

-6 Preferably, said friction interface element comprises a portion of plywood. Preferably, said portion of plywood is attached to each said second strip of metal by screwed fasteners. 5 Preferably, said portion of plywood is attached to each said second strip of metal by a metal to timber bonding agent. Preferably, said friction interface element comprises a portion of sheet metal; said portion of sheet metal 10 extending from a said second strip of metal at a first side of said elongate metal element to said second strip of metal at an opposite side of said elongate metal element; said portion of sheet metal provided with a friction material bonded to an underside of said portion 15 of sheet metal. Preferably, said friction material is a sheet of elastomeric material. Preferably, said portion of sheet metal is attached to each said second strip of metal by welding. 20 Preferably, said portion of sheet metal is attached to each said second strip of metal by riveting. Preferably, a portion of each outer end of said upper surface is provided with a non-slip coating.

- 7 Preferably, said sheet metal of said elongate metal element is galvanised iron. Preferably, said sheet metal of said elongate metal element is aluminium. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 10 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lapping board according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a view of the underside of the lapping board of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a first preferred cross section of the 15 lapping board of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a second preferred cross section of the lapping board of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 5 is a cross section of a further arrangement of the ends of the lapping board of Figures 1 and 2, 20 Figure 6 is a perspective view of the lapping boards of Figures 1 to 5 in a first example of use, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the lapping boards of Figures 1 to 5 in a second example of use. 25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS - 8 With reference to Figures 1 to 5, a lapping board 10 according to the present invention is formed as an elongate metal element including an upper surface 12 and side portions 14 and 16. Side portions 14 and 16 act to provide 5 rigidity to lapping board 10, with the ratio of the depth of side portions 14/16 to the standard width of the upper surface 12 depending on the length of the lapping board. Preferably lapping board 10 may be of length in the range of 1.2 and 4 metres. 10 With particular reference to Figure 3, each side portion 14 and 16 is formed of a first strip of metal 18 and 20 respectively, folded at first folds 21 and 22 substantially downwardly from the respective long side edges of the upper surface 12. Side portions 14 and 16 15 further include a second strip of metal 22 and 23 respectively, folded at second folds 24 and 25 substantially horizontally inward from the lower edges of first strips of metal 18 and 20. Preferably side portions 14 and 16 each include a third metal strip 26 and 27, 20 folded at third folds 28 and 29 substantially upwardly from the inner edges of second strips of metal 22 and 23. As can be seen in the views of Figures 1 and 2 particularly, upper surface 12 is provided with a plurality of stamped holes 30, each of which is formed with a raised 25 perimeter 31 as best seen in the sectional views of Figures - 9 3 and 4. These raised perimeters 31 or rims provide grip to the footwear of persons (not shown) traversing the upper surface 12 of the lapping board 10. Preferably, to add further strength and rigidity to 5 the lapping board 10 as shown in Figure 4, upper surface 12 is shaped in section so as to have two depressed fluted areas 32 and 34 which extend substantially the length of the lapping board. For this reason also, first metal strips 16 and 20 of side portions 14 and 16, are provided with an 10 indented central area 36 and 38 respectively, also extending substantially the length of lapping board 10. Preferably also, the outer ends 40 and 42 of the upper surface 12 are deformed so as to provide downwardly sloping portions or ramps 44 and 46, sloping from the level of the 15 upper surface 12 to proximate the level defined by the second strips of metal 22 and 23. These ramps 44 and 46 minimise the risk of a person stepping up onto a lapping board catching the toe of their boot on the end of the board and possibly sustaining serious injury if falling 20 from scaffolding at height. Ramps 44 and 46 also make it much easier to move a wheelbarrow or other wheeled equipment across the transition from scaffolding platforms onto the lapping boards 10.

- 10 Turning now particularly to Figure 2, portions of the outer ends 40 and 42 of the underside of lapping board 10, are provided with friction interface elements 48 and 50. As shown in Figure 6 or 7, when lapping boards 10 are in a 5 bridging position between adjacent platforms 60 and 61 of a scaffolding structure 100, the friction interface elements 48 and 50 at the underside of the ends 40 and 42 of the lapping boards reduce the risk of the boards sliding on the planking of the platforms. 10 In one preferred form, these friction interface elements 48 and 50 comprise sheets of plywood extending from the second strip of metal 22 at one side of the lapping board to the strip of metal 23 at the opposite side. The sheets of -plywood may be affixed to the metal 15 strips by screwed fasteners such as countersunk headed bolts and nuts 52 for example as shown in Figure 3, or with a suitable metal to timber bonding agent. In another preferred form, the friction interface elements comprise pieces of sheet metal 54 and 56, either 20 welded or riveted to the second strips of metal 22 and 23. These pieces of sheet metal then provide a surface for the attachment of an elastomeric sheet by means of a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, these sections of sheet metal 54 and 56 are welded between the 25 upturned third metal strips 26 and 27 with the friction - 11 elements (for example plywood sheet) bolted to these sections of metal sheet 54/56. In Use With reference to Figure 6 and 7, the lapping boards 5 10 of the invention may be used where it is necessary to bridge the gaps between straight sections of conventionally constructed scaffolding platforms 60. Thus as required lapping boards can provide for changes in angle of a run of scaffolding to suit the configuration of a building for 10 example, or with a straight run of scaffolding platforms. The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. 15

Claims (23)

1. A lapping board for use with scaffolding; said lapboard comprising an elongate metal element; said element including at least one upper surface suitable 5 for pedestrian use; said element further including side portions formed so as to provide rigidity to said upper surface.

2. The lapping board of claim 1 wherein said side portions each include at least a first fold, a second 10 fold and a third fold.

3. The lapping board of claim 1 or 2 wherein said elongate metal element is of length between 1.2 meters and 4 meters.

4. The lapping board of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein 15 each of said side portions includes a first strip of metal folded substantially downwardly at said first fold from respective outer long edges of said upper surface.

5. The lapping board of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein 20 each of said side portions further includes a second strip of metal folded substantially horizontally inwards at said second fold from respective lower edges of said first strip of metal. - 13

6. The lapping board of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each said side portions further includes a third strip of metal folded substantially upwardly at said third fold from respective inner edges of said second strip 5 of metal.

7. The lapping board of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said elongate metal element is roll-formed from sheet metal said first strip, said second strip and said first strip are integral with said upper surface. 10

8. The lapping board of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said elongate metal element is folded from sheet metal.

9. The lapping board of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said upper surface of said elongate element is shaped 15 in section so as to have two depressed fluted areas; said depressed fluted areas extending substantially said length of said elongate element.

10, The lapping board of any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein each said first strip of metal is shaped in section 20 with an indented central area; said indented central area extending substantially said length of said first strip of metal. - 14

11, The lapping board of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said upper surface is provided with a plurality of stamped holes; each said stamped hole bounded by a raised perimeter; said raised perimeter adapted to 5 provide grip to footwear of persons traversing said upper surface.

12. The lapping board of any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein outer ends of said elongate metal member are shaped so as to deform a portion of said upper surface to 10 provide a downwardly sloping portion; said downwardly sloping portion extending from a level of said upper surface to proximate a level defined by said second strips of metal.

13. The lapping board of any one of claims 5 to 12 wherein 15 outer ends of said elongate metal element are provided with friction interface elements; said friction interface elements attaching to undersides of said second strips of metal; said interface elements extending from a said second strip of metal at a first 20 side of said elongate metal element to said second strip of metal at an opposite side of said elongate metal element.

14. The lapping board of claim 13 wherein said friction interface element comprises a portion of plywood.

- 15 15. The lapping board of claim 14 wherein said portion of plywood is attached to each said second strip of metal by screwed fasteners.

16. The lapping board of claim 14 wherein said portion of 5 plywood is attached to each said second strip of metal by a metal to timber bonding agent.

17. The lapping board of claim 13 wherein said friction interface element comprises a portion of sheet metal; said portion of sheet metal extending from a said 10 second strip of metal at a first side of said elongate metal element to said second strip of metal at an opposite side of said elongate metal element; said portion of sheet metal provided with a friction material bonded to an underside of said portion of 15 sheet metal.

18. The lapping board of claim 17 wherein said friction material is a sheet of elastomeric material.

19. The lapping board of claim 17 or 18 wherein said portion of sheet metal is attached to each said second 20 strip of metal by welding.

20. The lapping board of claim 17 or 18 wherein said portion of sheet metal is attached to each said second strip of metal by riveting. - 16

21. The lapping board of any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein a portion of each outer end of said upper surface is provided with a non-slip coating.

22. The lapping board of any one of claims 7 to 21 wherein 5 said sheet metal of said elongate metal element is galvanised iron.

23. The lapping board of any one of claims 7 to 21 wherein said sheet metal of said elongate metal element is aluminium.